Charleston Leader

Last week, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 11 of her Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act. The legislation, led by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), aims to prohibit the federal government from contracting with entities that boycott the State of Israel. West Virginia and 36 other states have already passed laws or regulations opposing the boycott, divestment, or sanction (BDS) of Israel.

“I have made it a priority to stop the flow of U.S. taxpayer dollars to anti-Semitic, anti-Israel organizations. This legislation holds the federal government to a standard that over two-thirds of states have already set, including my home state of West Virginia. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to make certain the U.S. does not engage in business with government contractors who boycott our ally and friend, Israel,” Senator Capito said.

In addition to Senators Capito and Risch, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Additionally, Senator Capito has been conducting ongoing oversight of the Democrats’ “Inflation Reduction Act,” where she has found that the legislation is providing millions of dollars in U.S. federal grant money to extremist groups that demonize the State of Israel and have glorified October 7th. Through a series of press conferences, Senator Capito has exposed these groups and most recently announced a more in-depth report.

In May, through these oversight efforts, Senator Capito revealed a $50 million grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) IRA to “Climate Justice Alliance,” a group that engages in pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic activities.